Nice URLs, readable URLs, search-engine-friendly URLs. Different names same deal. [...] Turns out this isn't all that hard with PHP - in fact it can turn into something that's very useful from more than just a readability viewpoint.

He shows how to use mod_rewrite and an .htaccess file to automatically grab the request and map it to the right place. Then, the PHP script looks at the incoming data and pushes the correct page back out to the browser. He's also included some modifications to the original idea that allow for numeric grouping and named groups for rewriting content.

Elections are now over and a new PEAR Group has been formed. Just like last year and always following the Constitution, the new members have been elected by a secret ballot of PEAR Developers.

Those elected include Joshua Eichorn, Christian Weiske, Chuck Bugress and Travis Swicegood. This year's President id David Coallier. You can find out more on the PEAR website page for the elections.

My place as I consider it and as Greg mentioned on the mailing list yesterday is much more "ambassadorial" than "presidential" and being the PEAR ambassador around the world, I'll be glad to discuss, argue, improve the general idea of PEAR to anyone. I'll also be happy to discuss PEAR2 if anyone is interested but first and foremost I'll be happy to help our new PEAR Group (which I am pretty sure won't need help ) and the community.

You can find out more about the results of this year's elections on the PEAR election pages from pear.php.net.

As every year it is the time of the election for the PEAR Group and PEAR President for the year 2008 and 2009. If you haven't casted your vote just yet, NOW is the perfect time to do it so go to the election page and place your vote.

You can find out more about the elections from the page for the Presidental election and for the Group elections. You must be a PEAR developer in order to vote.

It is now this time of the year again where the PEAR Group throws in the PEAR Group Nominations. The nominated people will then be called for votes by the community and 7 lucky (even though luck has nothing to do with it) will be elected as the new PEAR Group member for the year 2008-2009.

The entire PHP community is requested to nominate who they think would make the best addition to the group, regardless of how they're related to the PEAR project. Nominations should be sent to Martin Jansen by midnight (UTC) May 31st.

• How to Check the Status of an Ad Group in PHP (V5)
• How to Create Keywords in PHP (V5)
• How to Create Ads in PHP (V5)
• How to Create Ad Groups in PHP (V5)

Check out his blog listing for more.

emPHPower should be a mediator between various (potential) participants in the PHP world. As such emPHPower could serve as a mediator between the PHP.net developers and its user base, between corporations and PHP.net, between corporations and grass roots organizers etc. [...] There are is fundamental concept that I see in this vision: emPHPower is a mediator and catalyst that empowers members of the community to follow their own ideas.

He talks more about the actual "doing" of his ideas and mentions things like the project's budget and where it would come from - the possibility of member fees (based somehow on cost of living).

At The Integer Group, we've created an environment based on the beliefs that there are no challenges that can't be met, no problems that can't be solved, and no conventions that can't be broken. Our drive and determination create energy - electricity that courses through every brainstorming session and into every project and that manifests itself not only in the work we produce but in our surroundings.

Creating groundbreaking work that drives sales and wins awards is what we strive for on every project, for every brand and every client. We've produced great work for some of the biggest brands in the world and for some that you've probably never heard of. But no matter the size of the client, they always know what to expect from our agency: innovative thinking, big ideas, and an all-consuming passion. For the business. For the brands. For the future.

What can you bring to Integer?

We are currently seeking a Web Developer in our Lakewood, Colorado agency. This position works directly with the IT Manager on continuing development, customization, and maintenance of the company Intranet. Duties include developing internal applications using PHP programming language; administer database structures of MySQL backend databases, perform special programming and database projects as requested and provide assistance with integrating our Intranet with our other systems.

Qualified candidates will have:

• Minimum 3-5 years PHP development and web programming language
• Minimum 3-5 years MySQL and SQL experience and administration
• Experienced in HTML, XML, and UNIX.
• Prefer experience in JavaScript, AJAX, CSS PHP5, and Mambo
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Attention to detail including ability to work with numbers
• Ability to handle changing priorities in a deadline driven environment
• Ability to manage multiple projects
• Strong communications skills and the ability to explain corrective procedures to non-technical users
• Practical problem solving and troubleshooting skills
• Ability to work overtime with little advanced notice

Interested? Please apply online at jobs.integer.com.

Still not convinced? Feel free to explore our website at www.integer.com

The Integer Group is one of the nation's leading promotional advertising and marketing agencies. Founded in 1993, the agency has offices in Denver, Dallas, and Des Moines and a network of field offices from coast to coast. The Integer Group is part of Omnicom Group, Inc., a leading global-marketing and corporate-communications company. Omnicom's branded networks and numerous specialty firms provide advertising, strategic media planning and buying, direct mail, promotional marketing, public relations, and other specialty communication services to more than 5,000 clients in over 100 countries.

The Integer Group Denver was named 8th best Medium-sized company to work for in the USA in 2007 by the Great Place to Work Institute Inc. For more information on Great Place to Work, check out: www.greatplacetowork.com

It sounds like they have a very active and vibrant PHP developer community in Costa Rica, and they've found two very supportive universities that have offered to host their meetings and events. I wish that every PHP user group could find sponsors willing to provide computer labs and even bring in outside speakers!

According to the Costa Rica PHP website they had a wonderful response from local developers and found them all eager to contribute however they could. They even have the support of two local universities where they can meet/do work in their labs (even bring in speakers from other countries).

There's just the one list currently (as hosted by omniti) but there's lots of subscribers. You can check out the signup page for more information on the list and get access to some of the archives of previous topics.